Interesting New Kit for Beginners (Complete Tarot Kit)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Jeannette	29 Oct 2002
Hi, Gang! Our latest shipment from U.S. Games included a new release that I thought people might be interested in hearing about. It is specifically oriented for beginning readers, so it's probably not the sort of thing that a lot of the folks on these forums would find exciting or useful. But for those who occasionally find themselves in the position of being asked for a recommendation of a book and/or deck for novices, it might be something that's worth having some familiarity with. The title is "The Complete Tarot Kit," and it includes the following: • The book An Introduction to the Tarot , by Susan Levitt • A tarot journal, for guiding and recording readings • A gloss-paper spread mat (showing the Celtic Cross layout, although for some reason, they call it the "Woven Spread," a term I hadn't ever seen used for this classic layout before) • A double-sided "Quick Reference" card • One pocket-size edition of the Rider-Waite deck • One pocket-size edition of the Crowley Thoth deck There are several very nice features about this kit that set it apart from your standard "beginner's kit," including: • A very sturdy and well-constructed shelf box • Spiral binding on the books, so that they can be laid flat next to the reader and will stay open . (Why aren't more tarot books bound in this fashion? It's so convenient, and makes so much sense.) • Inclusion of not one, but both of the most popular 20th-century tarots, and instructions that explain both in an "equal light," to allow the beginner the opportunity to "connect" with the deck that best suits their psyche. • Background data that is well-rounded and sticks to the known history, and doesn't present unsupported speculation as fact. • Information on some of the other applications of tarot, including the cards' use in ritual work. On the "downside," I expect some folks wouldn't agree with all of the author's recommendations regarding the reading process -- for example, she actively discourages taking "reversed" meanings into account, urging the reader to interpret all cards in the upright position. But all-in-all, the set seems well-designed, of high quality, and a very good value at $35 USD. I hope this information proves useful for some of you -- thanks for letting me share it! -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Cerulean	29 Oct 2002
I saw Susan Levitt's presentation...I've heard people think it's a good value to compare classic RiderWaite and Thoth decks, if they are beginning their studies. Mari H.

Lee	30 Oct 2002
Hi Jeannette, I'm curious as to the sizes of the decks. I'm familiar with the pocket-size Rider-Waite. Is the Crowley deck the same size? If so, that would be a new version of that deck, I guess. Thanks -- Lee

Kiama	30 Oct 2002
That really does sound ood for beginners. I can see lots of readers buying it as a gift for friends/family who are interested. Is it any good for kids around the ages of 10-15? Kiama

Jeannette	30 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama Is it any good for kids around the ages of 10-15? I suppose it depends on your personal outlook of how to introduce children to such potentially complex topics and skills. I'd be inclined to say "no" for kids at the younger end of the scale, because the writing style is obviously aimed at an adult reading audience. But perhaps a precocious 14- or 15-year-old would do well with it. I also expect that there are some who would prefer to start out younger readers with a deck containing less graphic, even violent images than those found in the Rider-Waite and Crowley decks. Although hardly controversial by adult standards, consider the forest of swords protruding from the back of the victim in the Rider-Waite "10 of Swords" card, or the whore of Babylon riding around on the "beast" on Crowley's "Lust" (Strength) card. But for those who have no objections to the imagery, there is the benefit that the decks themselves are sized nicely for smaller hands, and the spreadmat, journal, and quick reference card should make good tools for younger readers as well as older ones. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Jeannette	30 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee Hi Jeannette, I'm curious as to the sizes of the decks. I'm familiar with the pocket-size Rider-Waite. Is the Crowley deck the same size? Lee: the decks appear to be approximately 2-3/8" x 3-1/2". That puts them right at pretty much the same size as the official "pocket" editions of both decks. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgardne.com

Lee	30 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori Lee: the decks appear to be approximately 2-3/8" x 3-1/2". That puts them right at pretty much the same size as the official "pocket" editions of both decks. Hmm... I didn't think there was a pocket-sized Crowley at that size. I thought there were only the full-size and the smaller size which is about the size of the normal Rider-Waite. -- Lee :confused:

Jeannette	30 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee Hmm... I didn't think there was a pocket-sized Crowley at that size. I thought there were only the full-size and the smaller size which is about the size of the normal Rider-Waite... Lee: You're describing the Crowley editions with the U.S. Games name on the box. AGM still publishes editions of the Thoth under their own name as well, and USG does distribute the AGM editions in North America, under the name "Swiss Crowley Thoth" deck. The large-size AGM edition is the same size as the full-size USG edition, but the "pocket" AGM edition measures 2-1/4" x 3-1/2", in contrast to the "small" USG edition, which measures 2-7/8" x 4-3/8". The Thoth deck included in the "Complete Tarot Kit" is roughly equivalent to the AGM pocket size edition. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Lee	30 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori the "pocket" AGM edition measures 2-1/4" x 3-1/2 Aha! That was the one I didn't know about! Thanks, Jeannette. :) -- Lee

Jewel	31 Oct 2002
Sounds very nice ... give the beginner that and the Tarot Reversals book by Mary Greer and there you go!

Talisman	05 Nov 2002
'Lo all, Gosh, what a nice thought. Just buy this kit, with two foundation decks, and start all over again right from the beginning. Erase the slate. Perhaps this kit would also include a kind of time machine, so it could be sent back to the very beginning of time. Er, ah, that is, to the very beginning of your own Tarot time. Bet a lot of you started with a slightly different deck, maybe a really oddball book, and a compass without a needle, just tryin' to find a path over the mountain. Talisman

Cerulean	07 May 2003
I got to take another look at this kit recently and the small size of the decks for about $35 total, plus a fairly clear printing even in the minature size, was tempting. Then the journal for tarot card a day pulls for 30 days, about ten spread worksheet suggestions...and a workbook with color pictures, with both Thoth and Rider Waite illustrations done on the same page and general descriptions...seems as good as a comparative sampling and general study of the two decks. Maybe not the last word, but a very good set of take-along-for travel---the small two decks, the workbook and journal for a trip along with your favorite tarot paperback(s) might be a portable alternative...the small card fan could take these two, pocket-size Zernar Farber or Connelly or perhaps Knapp-Hall...maybe there's a smaller 78 Visconti or other classic Marseilles Style tarots.

The Interesting New Kit for Beginners (Complete Tarot Kit) thread was originally posted on 29 Oct 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.